Check out the brand new 'The Blossoming Bump' hub!

Today is a wonderful day! I proudly get to announce the launch of my new fully-fledged, all grown-up (well, kinda) website...

Please, join me over at The Blossoming Bump for many adventures, insights and awesome sharing opportunities. What an adventure this Motherhood hoo-hah is turning out be! 

Make-Do and Mend: Burp Cloths from Scraps

As the nesting urge has come upon me, I've frequently found myself delving through the far corners of old forgotten cupboards, attempting to make space for all the new baby-shaped items that will be entering our home very soon. 

Whilst revisiting a particularly neglected shelf in our linen closet, I came across a bundle of 12 unopened washcloths that my husband had apparently accumulated as a house-warming gift, way before I was ever in the picture. Oh, the potential! Paired with a bundle of fabric scraps I've collected over my many years of crafting, and with the support of my rickety old 70's sewing machine, I embarked on a mission to make something both useful and frugal from my new treasure... burp cloths!

Not one to be tempted by the stereotypical pink/blue baby animal type designs that are out there, I figured I'd take this opportunity for exercising my creative license, and try to produce something that I felt was at least a little different and maybe even a fun to flash in public. Behold, the fruits of my labor!

The steps were super simple:

1. Trim all tags off of the washcloths. Pin them front to front with the fabric scraps you've chosen to work with and machine stitch all around the edge (about 1/2 inch in from the very outside), leaving about 2 1/2 inches to flip the whole thing right way round afterwards. Trim across the corners so they'll fold out nice an neatly.

Note: This is the time to attach a ribbon tag for 'aesthetic purposes' if you so desire - just fold a 3-4 inch piece of ribbon over on itself (design facing outwards) and slide between the pinned washcloth and fabric, so just the 2 ends are poking outside of the square - this'll be stitched in snuggly when you zoom past it with the machine. Take care to make sure the right amount of ribbon will be waiting for you on the other side of the burp cloth, all according to your personal taste of course!

2. Once flipped so that the fabric's design and the 'nice' side of the washcloth is facing outwards, fold the 2 1/2 inch opening edges over and in on themselves and pin in place so it looks like a nice, neat edge. Start here and secure the whole thing (and it's nice neat shape) with another machine stitched line, all the way around, about 1/2 inch inside the outer edge. 

And... DONE! This could not be easier. I knocked out 6 of these in an hour, that's how simple they are and I'm really happy with the results (especially the moustache ribbon tags - fun touch don't you think?) They're washable, reusable and durable, and it's one more baby thing I get to put my own stamp on...go on, give it as bash!

Bloody Good Books!: Review for 'The Resolution for Women'

'The Resolution for Women' by Priscilla Shirer

The Resolution for Women

My husband bought this book for me way back when the movie 'Courageous' first came out, and admittedly it gathered dust for a while during a particularly busy flurry of life. He himself has the bloke's version, 'The Resolution for Men' and I know for a fact, he enjoyed getting stuck into it and sharing bits and pieces of wisdom with me along the way.

Written from a Christian/Scriptual stand point, for me this was a fascinating mixture of easy-read and emotionally provoking insight, which overall has given me food for thought each time I've picked it up.

In particular, the section focusing around being 'Purposely Feminine' spoke to me, especially as I take my first, somewhat shaky steps down the road to Motherhood (eek). What does it mean to really be a woman in today's world and which expectations are actually worth striving towards? There's a lot to be said about being a girl, we have strengths (and of course weaknesses) that no man could ever hope to match, but do we really embrace all that we are? Or are we too often trying to cover ourselves in the clothes of some myth society feeds us about what femininity and maternal power really is? I believe there's much more to us and our ability to management households, children, marriages, communities and WAY beyond, than is frequently expressed in other books, movies and TV shows nowadays. Time to reclaim, ladies. 'The Resolution for Women' really served as a jumping off point for me, a mirror through which I could reflect on where I was, where I hope to go and how I can make the journey there as nourishing and worthwhile as possible for myself and those around me.

Overall, I really found this book reassuring, empowering even, especially as I venture into a whole new realm of womanhood - as naturally as it comes to be a mother, we could all use a pat on the back and kick up the butt occasionally and this book is a great resource for both of those. It's good to be reminded what we're made of, what we can achieve and who's on our side willing us to do ourselves proud!

Mutt, Meet Baby...

Our household is a mad one. Two adults and three dogs, does not a calm environment make. With two of the pooches being geriatrics (and displaying appropriate amounts of elderly entitlement/huffiness along with it), it's fair to say that introducing a new family member, especially one as prone to loud noise, strong smells and ear/tail pulling as a baby is, this could take some getting used to.

I remember the day we brought a new puppy home. Naively we assumed that being of the same species (and being so bloody small) that the other dogs in our house could handle the change if managed effectively. Not so. One dog hid for the better part of 2 days and the other suffered a massive anxiety attack, complete with labored breathing, white gums and tremors. Apparently change isn't well received in this household. (pupster now lives a glorious life with my brother-in-law - lucky squirt).

So the question appears, what can we pet owners do to lessen the shock of bringing baby home for those four-legged family members we hold so dear?

Remember that first impressions go a long way here - Making that first introduction to baby a pleasant one will only serve you positively in the future. Let your dog/s greet everyone and get that initial 'You came back!' excitement out before baby makes it's big entrance into the house, and pop them on a leash (always important, no matter how lovely they are). Oh yeah, and how about lining those pockets with treats - can't hurt right? Stay calm, relaxed and speak in gentle, upbeat tones to let your mutt know all is well with the world. Always praise your dog when it shows a calm interest in baby... they're destined to be friends after all!

Investigations commence! - Choose a quiet space and take a seat with baby safely tucked in your arms. Again, pop Fido on a leash (we're staying on the safe side of things here folks),  and have a helper (or the Hub-ster) walk your furry friend into the room. Staying calm still counts for a lot here, so avoid nervous, excitable energy if you can help it at all - soft, gentle tones are the way forward! Keep your eyes peeled for signs that your pets are either relaxed, interested, or overwhelmed - their body language will be a great indicator of this for you. A gentle sniff of baby's feet constitutes normal investigation and as long as your mutt is leashed and being watched/reassured, you can allow him or her to take a closer look. Dish out the rewards (both edible and vocal if it suits) when your pets are calm and controlled - slow steps and positive reinforcement towards a happy little community.

That darn cat! - When it comes to cats, attempting to keep to a consistent schedule, minimizing changes in attention (love-hogs that they are) and keeping baby's room off limits as much as possible are valuable steps to look into. Introducing baby's toys, (anything brightly colored or loud) to your cat prior to all the excitement of having little one join the ranks, could help keep kitty calm around all this change.

I'll be talking more in the future about preparing your pets for a toddlers touch (i.e. those grabby, pully, ever-curious, pudgy little hands) and how to give them a head start on dealing with the unpredictable behavior of a rapidly learning little one. Tips or insights? Share away below!


http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/introducing-your-dog-your-new-baby

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/preparing-your-cat-new-baby

What NOT to Expect When You're Expecting

Call me crazy, but before I joined the ranks of the procreators I assumed that public crowds were willing, nay obliged, to part ways to let through the waddlers like myself. Apparently not. As my hormones have been bubbling to the surface, I'm slightly ashamed to admit that my sense of entitlement has become somewhat enflamed too. Each and every man who neglects to hold that heavy entrance way door for me as I try to escape out of the 90 degree heat into the air conditioning, earns a deeply penetrating death stare into his back. Those folks out there who fail to acknowledge a struggling pregnant lady and choose to mosey on by whilst she chases rolling tins across the parking lot or as she tries to pick up some randomly dropped item that is way out of reach over her ballooning bump... well, you just don't how lucky you are frankly, to have gotten away unscathed.

http://babyshoediaries.blogspot.com/2011/04/beware-hormonal-pregnant-womanproceed.html

Luckily I'm yet to fall prey to a public outburst, which I'm sure would be received with shifty glances and a mass movement, subtly shying away from the crazed, pregnant lady who just lost her marbles in the middle of Walmart. I'm certain if I ever actually spoke my mind to these innocent folks, who of course are just calmly going about their own days, I would be filled with instant regret upon realizing that I was, in fact, not the center of the universe (although I do feel somewhat orbital right now).

The only case I've really come across where I was certain I deserved at least a moment of help from someone outside of myself, came recently at my local veterinary vaccine clinic. In a lobby full of nosey mutts, my own two dogs proceeded to wrap me up with their leashes whilst simultaneously pooing across the busy walkway floor. Excellent. Nice work guys. Slightly embarrassed (but also well aware that this is simply a hazard of the job - since I myself work in a vet hospital myself) I politely apologized and let a member of staff know about the 'accident' that had just occurred. A member of staff then proceeded to stuff wads of tissue into my hand as she stormed on by, undoubtedly towards a far more pressing mission (a quick chat with a coworker it seemed), and a whole waiting room of people watched blankly as I tried to balance my handbag, control two over-excited (and worryingly strong) dogs and get down onto the floor to clean up feces with one hand (without a trash can insight)... (not to mention getting back up off the floor. that was fun too, believe me). Honestly, I cried on the drive home. Perhaps I was totally out of line to feel at the end of my tether over that. Regardless, I did feel that way and I was mortified that I stumbled, wrestled and struggled without so much as a staff member attempting to help me (you know, being a paying customer and all).

http://ourfamilynest.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/pregnancy-week-33-the-whale-syndrome/

I don't for a second think that I deserve special treatment, after all I'm pregnant not ill, but I can't say for sure than if a similar scenario had played out in front of me that I would have chosen to glance in the opposite direction and refrain from offering even a reassuring smile. A little friendly compassion would go a long way to quiet these raging hormones... just saying.

All Aboard the Frugality Train... Next Stop: Paternity Leave!

Frugality strikes again! As my husband and I gear up for the little squirt's arrival, it's rapidly becoming more and more obvious how much stuff we need and how much wiggle room we don't have right now. We're SO blessed to have a number of people within our family and close friends, whose generosity has produced more than a few hormone laced tears from my eyes, but we still have some scrimping to do before we can breath a sigh of relief and relax into this ride of lifetime completely. For one thing, Hubby's paternity leave is all unpaid and in the interest of having him home to enjoy our newest family member over the Christmas period, all focus has now shifted to stashing away dollars to keep him right where he belongs. Easier said than done though, right?

http://blog.eversmoke.com/saving-money-with-vapor-cigarettes.html

Whilst my stamina for taking part in long shifts coupled with a decrease in available shifts and an increase in the limits to the tasks I can take on (working with the animals), I've found myself looking for fresh and inspiring ways to tighten our belts, while still enjoying the last few months of Hubby/Wifey alone time together.

• Trading take-outs and restaurant meals for home cooking on a budget - Sounds obvious and I do love to cook from scratch, but during the first trimester of my pregnancy I honestly found standing over a stove to be nausea inducing (sounds like a mighty excuse, I know). Something about guiding raw meat on it's epic journey to cooked meat, left me retching and unable to enjoyed the food that I was preparing. Now we're back on the foodie wagon, buckling down and enjoying some homemade favorites the savings are totting up too!
• Second-hand baby gear - Okay so I would never buy the big ticket, safety conscious items like the crib or the car seat second-hand, but as far as clothing, furniture, toys and books go I'm all for a bargain. Be it yard sales or consignment stores, I've happily been gathering bits and bobs since I was around 8 weeks along, and have quite the collection now let me tell you. Remember, research into how to clean and disinfect items effectively, as well as what safety recalls are out and about at the moment and you're pretty much golden to strike that bargain. 
• Netflix it up - Streaming movies at home has become a welcome staple for saving money (and enjoying the advantage of wearing sweatpants without public judgement). Hubby and I get together, make healthy tip-top snacks like Kale Chips with sea salt (serious yum, trust me), and dig into the ol' movie archives to share our faves with one another. Cheap, fun and we're still bonding and spending quality time together. 
• Find the free stuff - In every area there are boundless possibilities for free days out as a couple or as a family. Look for free festivals, fetes, county fairs, free-for-all zoo days, activities at local parks, fundraising events around the city, storytelling events, historic community fairs... the list goes on, and in our experience they're usually a blast and have us hooked year after year!

http://www.chicagonow.com/own-your-legacy/2013/06/saving-dollars-begins-with-saving-pennies-saving-money-at-work/

Stretch It Out!... the joys of an ever expanding belly

I've heard it described as cramping, stretching, itching and even stabbing (my own midwife likened it to being knifed - positive thinking, right?) ...

I am of course talking about the rather tedious sensations known as 'round ligament pain'. RLP is that rather odd sharp, jabby sort of feeling you get all around the lower belly, groin area and all up the sides of the belly as you begin to mercilessly expand. No one can say we're not obliging hosts, right ladies?

When it first began for me (around the 13 week mark) I remember quite confidently announcing that it wasn't nearly as bad as people made it out to be. probably should have held off on the comments looking back, but hindsight is 20/20 and it's hard to really comprehend what your body has in store for you until you experience it first hand. As I round the bend of 25 weeks, I can now confirm that the type of discomfort this stretchy little miracle offers changes as quickly as your cravings do. Although it's a totally normal part of pregnancy, I'm not sure than any two pains are actually the same (which can be quite unnerving as a first timer, let me tell you).

http://www.babiesonline.com/articles/health/roundligamentpain.asp

From an unforgiving ache that made me wonder if I'd accidentally acquired a bad case of tummy troubles, to a strange and intense pressure on the lower half of my bump that prompted me to clench my thighs tightly together, should baby try to make an impromptu appearance. It's all been a bit of a 'one day at a time' experience really, and if I'd have succumbed to my panicky streak, my midwife would have been sick of the sound of my voice by now.

Sudden movements definitely weren't my friend during the peak of this particular discomfort (around the 21-24 week time frame for me) and I'm proud to say I've now perfected the 'rock to build momentum and rolllllll' maneuver to get out of bed -  namely to avoid twisting too much and prompting the little buggers to start straining all over again. Enjoy sneezing, coughing and laughing whilst you can folks, you'll be avoiding it like the plague soon enough.

To be honest the best thing that helped me when I was struck with these odd and unpleasant sensations was a warm bath (not too hot now, don't fry baby bear!), a nice lie down and a yummy square or four of dark chocolate (purely medicinal you understand). Most of all just relaxing, accepting the weirdness and allowing it to pass - that may have become my pregnancy mantra now, you know...

Got any more tips or tricks for relieving these niggling pains? Share them in the comments below!

Trash TV... Bring on the babies!

If you're anything like me, then you're partial to the odd cheeky delve into the realms of crappy reality TV. That's right, judge away, I can take it.

Since motherhood has become an ever impending destination for me, I've been on the hunt for shows that can satisfy both my trash TV urges, as well as my growing interest for all things pregnancy and baby related (I do have a life, I swear). Luckily there are many avenues through which to pursue this craving and no shortage of interesting shows and documentaries out there to keep me quiet for a while.

Now, bear in mind that most of the shows listed below can be found on either YouTube, Netflix, through online streaming of 4oD or BBC iplayer (TunnelBear is a fab, cheap program that I always use to stream my favorite UK shows) and, ahem, generally round and about online if you're will to dig a little.

Here are just a few of my favorite baby related reality shows to keep you going, and keep you excited for your own upcoming Mama experiences;

One Born Every Minute, 5 seasons - Channel 4 (UK), LifeTime (US)

I'm Having Their Baby, 2 seasons - Oxygen

A Baby Story - TLC

In The Womb - National Geographic Documentary

The Great Sperm Race - Channel 4 Documentary

I'm Pregnant With Their Baby - BBC Documentary

Dawn Gets A Baby - BBC Three Documentary

A Conception Story - TLC

Don't Just Stand There, I'm Having Your Baby, 5 episodes - BBC Three 

Waiting For a Heartbeat - BBC Documentary (bit of a tear jerker, so beware!)

Misbehaving Mums To Be, 7 episodes - BBC Three (UK)

Pregnant In America - Feature Length Documentary

The Business of Being Born - Feature Length Documentary

The Midwives, 6 episodes - BBC Two (UK)

Call The Midwife (not reality but a great show all the same!) - 

Fast Food Baby - BBC Three Documentary (UK)


Well, these should keep you fixed to the telly (or laptop) for a while, right? I could go on I'm sure, but that'll do for now... phew! If you have any more suggestions that aren't included above, then throw 'em over via the comments box - I, for one, am always on the lookout!

Working whilst pregnant... Learning to push on through!

My job is a fairly physical one. That is to say it involves me getting up and down from the floor often, smelling smells and seeing sights that can turn a grown man's stomach at the best of times (let alone in the midst of a morning sickness attack), tackling stairs and heavy lifting often and valiantly wrestling anxious animals (many with more paws and claws than they know what to do with). I work at a veterinary hospital and love my job in every way but the bigger I grow, the slower I get and that doesn't leave me much room to be an asset to my team. Depressing, much?

No longer can I assist with radiographs, clean litter boxes, lift or restrain particularly enthusiastic dogs and cats (in fact scratch handling cats all together - little buggers!), assist with anesthesia or handle a variety of substances. Honestly, I'm having a good day if I can make it back up off the floor after taking a temperature at this point. Frustration has set in and truly, I'm struggling to learn when is when for this temporary body I'm currently inhabiting.

http://www.makeyourenglishwork.com/2012/07/11/pregnant-not-allowed/

Too many times now I've jumped into the midst of the action only to find that the situation is too squirmy, kicky, heavy or bitey for my own good and have had to withdraw with my tail between my legs (pun intended). My colleagues are fab, always urging me to take it easy, but the truth is I'm not sure I know how to yet. I've never been particularly limited before and I find myself craving to be the same as everybody else, leaping to the aide of a coworker, or putting my hard earned, albeit still developing skills to good use. After all, practice makes perfect, right?

At the end of the day, baby bear will always come first. I know this and if that means taking a back seat for a while then so be it. Presumably it can't be as torturous as giving up the ol' vino for 9 months (kidding! - well, sort of...) But it's a brand new skill I'm going to have to get used to as my belly grows and my activity level slopes off into couch potato territory. Bring on daytime TV, please!

Finding a midwife, US stylee...

Well, I'm pleased to share that I think I may have found myself some high quality midwifery care, right here in Knoxville, TN. As I desperately searched for somewhere to have this little squirt that wasn't going to feel like I was checking into hospital for inevitable drugs, interventions and maybe even surgery, I came across a birthing center that meets all my needs and wants. Hallelujah.

Back in the UK, midwife centered care is pretty much the way it's done, with doctor based care only hopping in the picture if you're deemed high risk or have a significant prenatal complication that requires a pair of slightly more specialized eyes and steady, well practiced surgical hands. Here in the US, I have to say I've found this hard to come by. From the very beginning I felt a little snowed under with early, invasive scans and seemingly constant suggestions of lengthy prenatal testing, all of which wouldn't have even made it into my peripheral had I been preggers in the UK right now. I'm young, healthy, active and with no history of foul play (defects, miscarriages, syndromes etc.) in my family, I was a little confused why I was being advised to take every test in the book.

I've always been one for a more laid back, hands-off approach when it comes to medicine and since I'm pregnant (not, you know, sick) I'm relieved to have now found a team of care providers who seem to respect my stance for the most part (although the offer for all those fancy tests and numerous ultrasounds is still firmly on the table, should my be interest be peaked).

http://www.coloribus.com/adsarchive/prints/maternity-training-programme-push-push-push-5187605/

The practice I finally settled on is technically a birth center, attached to a full fledged hospital. So while I can attempt to (ha!) relax in the birthing pool with dim lights and floaty, distracting music, all the bells of whistles of a fully stocked hospital are waiting just around the corner (literally) for me, should the unfortunate need occur. Since this is my first, I have to say I feel much safer just knowing I have back-up down the hall.

Now if I can just keep them from convincing me to take the drugs, I should be all set...

The Delights of the First Trimester... nausea, fatigue and a standing appointment with the toilet!

For me the first few months of pregnancy were, well, typical I suppose. Part of me rather enjoyed living out a walking cliche of morning sickness, food aversions and crippling fatigue-induced 'pregnancy brain' (my work colleagues perhaps didn't appreciate that latter so much). After all, every niggle and discomfort ultimately indicated that the belly monster I was brewing was doing rather well, confidently making it's presence known and quite happily depleting me for it's own benefit (aren't children delightful?)

Yet, I found that more than the symptoms themselves, what became so bothersome for me was the time period that they were strung out across. It's not the hardest thing in the world to 'put up and shut up' with a front-facing visit to the toilet bowl each morning (and lunchtime and evening!)  when you know it's all in the name of a bundle of joy, but 13 weeks into the nonstop cycle of ickiness, staring down at the murky blue water did somewhat lose it's charm, and me my enthusiasm for submitting to the wills of my body for very much longer.

http://visual.ly/pregnancy-symptoms

It's fair to say it wears you down, the constant (and alarming random and urgent!) waves of nausea, the strange tastes and smells, the aches. pains and bizarre sensations that I'm still not sure could be classed as normal (what can in pregnancy?). No amount of steely determination for mama bear joy can overcome the fact that you might actually start to consider selling your first born in return for a full nights sleep, uninterrupted by a screaming bladder, stretching ligaments and heartburn that could floor a buffalo.

The remedies I personally turned to were simply the old faithfuls, the tried and tested of the incubation world: saltine crackers, Sprite, naps wherever I fell, an honest plea for sympathy at work and a husband with unbridled patience (oh yeah, and a decent take out menu or five... just saying, life saver). That being said there are some pretty neat products out there, ready and willing to aide any new mama in the making with getting through that tricky first trimester symptoms. For instance;

Three Lollies, 'Preggy Pops' - fantastic hard candies made from ginger that can help settle those sicky churns right down.

Earth Mama, 'Organic Morning Wellness Tea' - a delicious 'good for you' mama-to-be brew that includes ginger root and spearmint in it's recipe (both well known for helping keep the queezies away).

'Snoogie', Total Body Pillow - this thing is a freakin' dream. As it gets more and more inconvenient to lie on your back, front (or even roll from side to side - yes, seriously), you can pretty much count on a full body pillow to help you remain in dream land for as long as your bladder will allow. (That being said, I've survived a fair amount of time pinning a regular ol' pillow between my knees and under my bump, but this is a whole new level of 'ahhhhh').

http://saymommy.com/pregnancy-symptoms/

Do you have any tips, tricks or product suggestions for increasing comfort and decreasing the suffering of the brave mama bear to be? Please feel free to share them in the comments below...!

Roll Up, Roll Up...

... and welcome one and all. Please feel free to browse through the archives of my pregnancy adventures so far and share any questions, concerns, or indeed adventures of your own.

Currently, I'm on the fun side of 6 months along (i.e. just past it and rapidly shuffling into Beluga whale territory) and I'm sad to say it's taken me this long to get my baby-making butt over here, to post the ins and outs of my first child-bearing experience. Shame on me, right?

Usually I can be found blogging the happy details of my immigration adventure (originally from the UK, I moved to the US 2 years ago in pursuit of my rather wonderful hubby), but it's finally time to cross over and document the new 'big step' in our lives: parenthood! (Ooo-er...)

So whether you're contemplating your first, already expecting or in fact attempting to adjust to the infiltration of a rather cute new room-mate, stick with me, comment away and let's embark on this wacky ride together...

http://www.humorsharing.com/funny-pregnancy-tips/4518